Edwards fuels Oakland Tech's rise to the top

Published 4:00 am, Friday, September 10, 2004

This year, while Skyline and a talented McClymonds squad still get most of the attention, no one can overlook another power in the OAL -- Oakland Tech.

Last year's stunning Silver Bowl win over Skyline cemented the Bulldogs as a player in the OAL. While Tech's rise to the top may have seemed sudden to a casual observer, the Silver Bowl win was really the culmination of coach Delton Edwards' hard work in building a solid football program.

Edwards, who has been coaching football since 1985, took over the Tech program nine years ago after holding positions at a variety of programs including Merritt Junior College and McClymonds.

At the time, Tech football was just another OAL team with a small roster and little hope of competing with the more well-known programs. Since then, things have changed. This year, a sweltering preseason afternoon practice session had more than 50 players going through drills before Edwards and his numerous assistant coaches.

"I remember when [Tech] used to get 13, 15 18 kids out," said Skyline's former longtime coach John Beam. "Now you can see about 40 kids on the sidelines and there are more kids throughout the entire program. That makes a big difference, that's how you build (a program) and that's how you win."

"I went to junior college and played under Ike Keefer, and one day we were out riding in the car, and he talked me in to coaching," said Edwards. "Keefer told me 'you're going to be a coach because you¹re always moving player around on the field, you're always calling the defense out' and that got me thinking about it."

Since taking over at Tech, he's built the school's program into a place his players can learn and feel supported.

"I got in to coaching because I wanted the kids to have a second opportunity," he said. "Seeing a kid that we get out of the tenth grade or a kid that's been involved in juvenile hall, and getting him on the right track and graduate, that's the most pleasure I've had coaching -- seeing that kid graduate and make something better out of his life."

To let his players know that participating in the Tech football program is a serious matter, Edwards makes them all sign individual contracts with him, agreeing to keep their grades up and put hard work in on the field.

"His big rule is you hit the books before you hit the field," said junior Darrius Chappill, who has played under Edwards since ninth grade. "If your education isn't done, he doesn't care what you do in practice."

"The feeling here is that as a member of the team you represent the school in the classroom, on the field and off campus," continued Chappill. "You treat everything with respect, that's what we're taught around here."

It's an atmosphere that keeps players interested and involved, even after they graduate.

The football program has an extensive staff, made up of 11 assistant coaches, all but one of whom either played with or for Edwards. Many volunteer their time, to give back to the program and the kids coming up behind them.

The effort does not go unnoticed by Tech's current players.

"We're family here," said senior Isaiah Cain, 'this is the greatest (coaching) staff in the OAL. Our coaches know what they¹re talking about -- half of them played and they know how to deal with us."

"We know we can trust them," said Chappill. "Coach D. is a real person. If I hear something from him, I know it's true, or I know someone he knows has said it is true."

Edward's ability to build the trust and confidence of his players has been key to the program¹s growth and success.

"Delton is from the area, he grew up in Oakland, then he went away and he came back," said coach Beam. "I feel he's a role model for (his players) in that sense ... he knows what they go through and he knows how to deal with it and they look up to him. He builds good relationships with kids."

While McClymonds and Skyline look to battle it out for the Silver Bowl this year, Tech, which just graduated numerous seniors including talents such as Marshawn Lynch and Virdell Larkins, still expects to compete, based on the strength of the program Edwards has built.

"I think these kids are up to the challenge," said Edwards. "They're excited to get started. I think we¹re going to be pretty good. As a matter of fact, I know we¹re going to challenge, I¹m not even worried about that. I know we will."

Oakland Tech opens its season this afternoon at home against Antelope Valley at 3:30 p.m.